Method of milking



' Aug. 26, 1941.

J. A. SCHMITT ET-AL METHOD OF M ILKING Filed March 22, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet l talented Aug. 26, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHODor MILKING John A. Schrni-tt, Waukesha, Wis, and Albert Schellenherg,Joliet, 111., assignors to The Universal Milking Machine companWa'ukesha; Wisl, a corporation of Wisconsin. Application March 22, 1937,Serial No. 132,223

9 Claims;

' This invention pertains to milking apparatus wherein a pulsatormechanism automatically governs alternating pressure fluctuations withinpneumatically controlled teat cups associated therewith, including theherein described method for mechanically simulating the action of acalfs mouth and tongue by inducing tremulous impulses which affordmultiple massage action and a titillating effect upon the cows teats, tothereby stimulate increased flow of milk followed by an accentuatedimpulse as the calf. swallows the previously accumulated milk.

At the present time milking machine pulsators are ordinarily operated ata rate of forty to fortyeight strokes per minute and are so timed as toopen the teat cup inflation to atmosphere during substantially half theperiod and to subject it to suction or vacuum'eifect during an equalinterval. Under such operations a cow does not readily nor immediatelygive down its milk and the machines do not milk clean but necessitateconsiderable hand stripping. Moreover, the use of milking machines underthe usual condition causes more or less frequent congestion of the udderand teats. It is well known that hand manipulation of the udder beforemilking has a stimulating effect and increases the pressure within theudder and thus helps to speed the milking process.

By observation, during the suckling period it has been found that a'calf manipulates the teat with its lower jaw and tongue at a quite rapidrate of from ninety to one hundred twenty impulses per minute, althoughit swallows very much less frequently. This rapid massage ormanipulation intermediate suction withdrawal of the milk and swallowmovement imparts a fluttering or quivering motion which seems to afforda nerve stimulation or excitement of the vascular system of the udder,which is pleasurable to the cow and induces a quick release of the milk.Due to this manipulative action the intermediate swallowing period ismuch shorter than themilking period.

The pulsator mechanism herein described, and claimed in copendingapplication Serial No.

368,074, filed November 30, 1940 is adapted to inflations or flexiblelinings alternately to atr mosphere and to vacuum or suction, is so anranged that during each cycle of operation it opens the inflation andthen for a short interval allows it to partially collapse again andagain until at the end of the cycle it is again closed for the finalsqueeze. The inflation is thus subject to more or less constanttremulous action. This extra stimulation tends to normalize the vascularblood supply to the teats as well as stimulate the milk flow, and. ithas been found that it minimizes or entirely obviates blood congestionand that as soon as the apparatus is attached the cow releases her milkinstantly, which has not hitherto been true'of mechanical milkingapparatus. The desired effect can be obtained with pulsators ofdifferent styles and with different types of valves, of which slidevalves, ball valves and poppet valves have all been successfully used.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of mechanicallysimulating the natural manipulative action of a calfs mouth and tonguewhile in the. act of sucking, by which the cows teat is subjected to aperiod of rather gentle vibratory movement or tremulous stimulationintermediate succeeding acts of swallowing the accumulated milk.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method ofyoperationwhich will afford an undulating or tremulous impulse comprisingpreferably a succession of partial operations followed by a complete andfinal operation or impulse.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method ofstimulating the milk flow by exciting the milk glands.

A further and important object of the invention. is to minimizethedeleterious effect of mechanical milking apparatus upon the cows teatand udder and to maintain normal blood'circulation and .preventcongestion.

A further object of the invention is to induce a quick response andcause the cow to release her milk instantly and to speed the milkingoperation.

A further and important object of the invention is to enable a greaterquantity of milk to be extracted by the milking apparatus, therebyminimizing hand stripping operation.

A further and important object of the invention is to provide a methodof producing upon the cows teats a series of tremulous partialcompressive impulses, in imitation of the manipulative action of thecalf, followed by an accentuated compressive movement of greater degreein imitation of the action of the calf in swallowing the accumulatedmilk.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of milkingaffording the advantageous manipulative action and meritoriouscharacteristics herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully appear in the specification, the invention consists of themanipulative actions, the sequence and combinations thereof and the modeof operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and setforth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

wherein is shown the preferred, but not necessarily the only form ofembodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled pulsator mechanismembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof having a portion broken away.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof, partly in section.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. i

Fig. 6 is a detail end elevation wherein the end caps or domes and thepiston diaphragm are shown in section.

Fig. 7 is a detail top plan View of the valve table showing relativelocation of the various ports.

Fig, 8 is a bottom plan view of the reciprocatory control valve.

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a modified construction.

Fig. 11 is a detail plan View of the valve table of the embodimentillustrated in Fig. 10 showing the relative location of the ports.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on line I2I2 of Fig. 10 and Fig.11.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view on line l3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Figs. 14 and 15 are respectively a bottom plan view of a modified formof valve and a plan view of the valve table showing the relativelocation of the ports of which the valve shown in Fig. 14 cooperates,

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, the present pulsator includes a medialblock-like body portion I the top of which forms a valve table, andwhich is superposed upon a hollow base 2 adapted for sealedcommunication with a vacuum chamber. Communicating with the hollow base2 is an exhaust connection or spud 3 to which may be connected a suctionconduit common to both the vacuum chamber and the pulsator mechanismmounted thereon. Located at opposite ends of the body portion I areterminal caps or domed heads 4 which provide piston chambers havingtherein flexible diaphragm type pistons 5. Intermediate the pistondiaphragm 5 and the interior Walls of the terminal cap or dome head 4are variable fluid pressure chambers B to and from which atmospheric airis intermittently admitted and exhausted to effect to and frofluctuating motion of the piston diaphragm 5.

Disposed on top of the body block I for longitudinal reciprocatorymotion is a slide plate 1 having therein a longitudinal slot 8. At eachend the plate I is provided with a terminal head 9 having transverseundercut flanges forming gibbed ways I!) to receive therein flangedheads or buttons II carried by the piston diaphragms 5. The pistons andinterconnecting plates I are readily detachable by relative transversemovement whereby the flanged buttons II may be withdrawn from beneaththe overhanging flanges of the head 9. However, the piston diaphragms 5are normally interconnected one with the other by the plates for unisonalternating movement.

Each of the diaphragm pistons 5 comprises a cup-shaped flexible memberof leather or other suitable material the margins of which are clampedbetween the side walls of the dome heads or terminal caps 4 and aninternal expanding ring I2 secured to the ends of the body block I. Therings I2 are split at I2a and are expansively adjusted by a screw boltI3 having a tapered head and tapered nut seating in correspondinglyshaped sockets I4 coincident with the split which by their cammingaction expand the rings I2 to clamp the margins of the diaphragm 5 andsecure the terminal caps or domes 4. To effect reciprocatory movement ofa plate 1 air is alternately admitted into and exhausted from the spacesor chambers 6 within the domes or terminal caps 4 beyond the diaphragmpistons 5. Such admission and exhaustion of air are controlled by the toand fro motion of a slide valve I 5 mounted on top of the body block I.Beneath the valve I5 and controlled by the to and fro motion thereof isa series of small ports including a centrally disposed port I6 fromwhich a passage I'I leads directly through the block I to the hollowbase 2, where it is subject to the sue-.- tion or vacuum influenceinduced through the suction conduit connection 3.

The passage I1 is of variable capacity conrolled by a regulating screwI8 to vary the rapidity of operation of the pulsator unit. Upon eachside of the central suction port I6 is a pair of ports I9 and 20 both ofwhich communicate with a passage 2| leading to the variable fluidpressure space 6 within the dome head at the corresponding end of theunit. That is to say, the ports l9 and 20 of each pair communicate withthe same passage which leads to the fluid pressure space 6. The slidevalve I5 is provided with two spaced recesses 22 in its underside and inspaced relation therewith two holes or ports 23 extending through thevalve. The holes 23 and recesses 22 are so disposed relative to eachother and to the spaced relation of the several ports in the body blockI that when a hole 23 registers with a port 20 one of the recesses 22will register simultaneously with the suction port I6 and the port I9 ofthe pair of ports pertaining to the opposite pressure chamber 6. Thisopens one variable fluid pressure chamber 6 within the head or dome 4 toatmosphere through the passage 2I and the port. 20 and registering hole23 of the valve. At the same time the air within the variable fluidpressure chamber 6 at the opposite end of the device is being exhaustedthrough the corresponding passage 2I and the port I9 which is incommunication with the recess 22 with the suction port I6 communicatingthrough the passage I! with the exhaust chamber. The simultaneousadmission of air to the variable chamber 6 at one end of the apparatusand the exhaustion thereof from the Corresponding chamber at theopposite end of 'th'e apparatus effects a longitudinal sliding movementof theplate As the plate 1 approaches the limit of its stroke thecontrol valve is reversed to thereby alternate" the connection of therespective fluid pressure chambers 6 with atmosphere and exhaust. Thusat the end of the stroke of the reciprocatory plates'l in eitherdirection motion is transmitted to the control valve |5 in the oppositedirection to open one of the. fluid pressure chambers 6 to atmospheremovement of the carrier in either direction.

The" swinging carrier 24 medially engages over a stud 2'! carried by thereciprocatory valve l5 which projects into a hole in the carrier 24 totransmit motion from one member to the other. At its free extremity thecarrier 24 has an upwardly' projecting stud 28 which is alternatelyengaged by each of a pair of spring arms 29 yieldingly mounted upon theslide plate I.

As the reciprocatory slide plate 1 approaches the limit of its stroke ineither direction under the influence of the piston diaphragm one of thetrip arms 29 carried thereby will yieldingly enengaged stud, whereuponthe tensioned trip arm 29 engaging with the upstanding stud 28 willtransmit motion to the swinging carrier 24-to shift it to itsreverseposition, carrying with it the reciprocatory slide valve l5.

As before mentioned, the reversal of the control. valve alternates theexhaustion and admission ofair from and to the respective spaces 6 inthe domes or heads and correspondingly flexes the piston diaphragms andthereby transmits alternating motion to the slide plate 1.

Projecting laterally from the body block I is a pair of spuds or conduitconnections 32 to be connected by suitable flexible conduits withconventional vibratory pneumatically controlled teat cups forming a partof the milking apparatus.

The reciprocatory movement of the slide plate 1 operates in timedsequence a series of pulsator valves which connect the respective teatcup connections 32 and the teat cups connected thereto alternately toatmosphere and to the suction effect of the vacuum chamber or receiveron which the pulsator may be mounted. The teat cup connections 32 arecontinuations of independent passages 33 extending horizontally throughthebody block I.

passages 34 "are each controlled by two valves, herein illustrated asball valves. These comprise upper air inlet valves 35 and lower vacuumvalves 36. The latter are provided with shoulder seats 31 within thepassages 34 which are counterbored for such purpose. The upper aircontrol valves are confined in a cage-like mounting 3'8 'removablysecured to the body I by a screw 39; The bottom of the mounting isformed with valve seats 40' for the valves 35, above which the mounting38 is laterally open to permit free flow of 'air'but adapted to confinethe-valve balls 35 to vertical movement to and 'from'their seats, andprevent lateral displacement thereof.

' The plate 1 extends on opposite sides of the mounting 38; for the ballvalves 35, which are located withinthe'slot 8 of said plate 1.

Carried by'the plate 1 contiguous to the slot 8- is a series of camstuds or buttons 4| arranged in spaced sequence which as the platereciprocates engage beneath the ball valves and lift such valves fromtheir seats to thereby admit air to the passages 34 and thence to theteat cups through the lateral passages 33 and conduits 32. There may beany number of such cam buttons or studs 4|, which in the presentinstance are shown as of conical form. These cam studsare preferably ofdifferent sizes, some large and some small, to lift the valves differentdistancesor maintain the passages open through different intervals oftime. For illustrative purposes and to avoid complicating the drawings,only four pairsof such studs are illustrated. The terminal studs of theseries are of larger size.

.. As the plate I is shifted a series of the smaller cam studssuccessively engage the valve 35, lifting the valve repeatedly a slightdistance off its seat, causing successive admissions of air, and finallyat the limit of the stroke of the plate 1, the larger terminal cam studsengage the ball valve and lift it to greater height, thereby openingthevalve to greater capacity and maintaining the valve open untilinitiation of the return movement ofthe plate 1. The lower vacuumcontrol valves 36 are likewise controlled in timed sequence with the airvalves by the movement of the plate 7.

The lower vacuum valves 36' are loosely connected with rocker arms 42pivoted at 43 to the -Each rocker arm 42 has a stem 45 extending looselywithin an axial opening in the corresponding valve 36. The upper end ofeach arm 42 is' provided with a roller 46 engaged by successive camprojections or teeth 47 upon the margin of the reciprocatory plate I.The openings in the body block I in which the rocker arms are mountedare sealed by flexible diaphragms 48, tightlysecured to the arms 42 andto the block about such opening. Like the cam buttons or studs 4| thecam projections 41 are of different size, and may be of any desirednumber. As the plate I is shifted the rollers 46 are engaged bysuccessive cam projections 41 to thereby. rock the arms 42 and lift thevacuum control valves 36 repeatedly off their seats. The finalcamprojection-47 engaging [the roller 46 being of larger size; oscillatethe rocker arm 42 through a greater degree of movement and at the limitof the stroke holds the valve 36 off its seat until initiation of thereturn stroke. The cam projections 41 and the cam buttons or studs 4|are arranged in longitudinally offset relation, whereby the valves 35and 36 are'alternaltelyiactuated.

When at the limit of the stroke of the plate I in either direction isreached the air valve 35 pertaining to one passage 34 will be held-inelevated position to open the passage and teat cup connection toatmosphere while the vacuum control valve 36 pertaining to the otherpassage 34 will be held open by the larger cam projection 41 to connectthe corresponding passage 34 and teat cup connection with the vacuumchamber within the base 2. However, intermediate the terminals of thetravel of the reciprocatory plate I under influence of air alternatelyadmitted to and exhausted from the spaces 6 in the heads or domes, therespective air inlet and vacuum valves 35 and 36 will be repeatedlypartially operated to effect an intermittent or fluttering effect, whichwill be transmitted to the connected teat cups to effect the tremulousimpulses followed'by a full operative impulse at the end of the cycle.Such tremulous effect is transmitted to therespective teat cupconnections alternately by control of the air supply and suction orvacuum control. As before described, such cycle of partial operations ofthe respective valves followed by a final full operation produces thedesired flutter effect preparatory to the final squeeze of the teat insimulation of the mouth action of the calf.

While for illustrative purposes and convenience of description theinvention has been shown and described as embodying ball type valves, itis to be understood that conventional poppet or slide valves may besubjected to successive partial and a full final operation to achievethe same result.

As illustrating an alternative form of construction there is shown inFig. 10 a construction having at each end of the medial body block I acylinder 50 having therein a reciprocatory conventional pistoninterconnected by a relatively flat connecting bar 52 recessed on itsunder side to receive a flat slide valve 54. A reciprocatory pistonvalve 53 located in the body block I serves as control valve toalternately connect the respective cylinders 50 with suction and withatmosphere. The alternate admission and exhaustion of air from therespective cylinders actuates the interconnected pistons 5| to and froand thereby shifts the slide valve 54. A perforate plate 55 on the topof the body block I forms a valve table having therein a series of portscommunicating with passages in the body block I.

At the center of the valve table 55 is a port 56 communicating through avertical passage 51 with the vacuum chamber 53 subjected to exhaustionthrough the suction connection 59. Within the body block I are twochambers 60 (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 11) each communicating with aseparate teat cup conduit connection BI and each having spaced ports 62and 63 in the valve table plate 55. There are also passages 64 in thebody block leading to the piston valve cylinder and thence to thecylinders 50, each of which has two ports 65 and 66 corresponding to theports I9 and 20 of the primary construction.

The slide valve 54 has in its under side transverse slots 61 and 61a(shown by dotted lines, Fig. which cooperate with the various ports asthe valve is reciprocated to and fro to effect alternating movement ofthe piston control valve 53 and thereby reversal of the pistons 5I andthe slide valve 54. The longitudinal portion of the slot 61 in the underside of the valve 54 maintains its communication with the exhaust port56 while the lateral portion of the transverse slot 61a successivelycommunicates with the remaining ports 62, 63 and 66. The slide valve 54has therein holes 68, one of which registers with the other of the ports66 at the limit of its stroke in either direction. While only a minimumnumber of control ports have been shown it is to be understood that thenumber may be increased whereby the valve slot 61 will successivelycommunicate with a succession of ports in its movement in eitherdirection to effect the repetitious action prior to the final airadmission or exhaustion of the cycle.

In Figs. 14 and 15 is illustrated a further variation of the valverecesses and coacting ports by which the desired effect may beaccomplished.

In this simplified form of valve construction, as shown in Fig. 15, thevalve table 55a. has therein two spaced ports 62a, each communicatingwith one of the tube nipples BI, and a third port 560, communicatingwith the suction passage. The reciprocatory valve 54a shown in Fig. 14is adapted to slide to and fro on the table 550; and has therein asubstantially double tau or pi shaped recess, the longitudinal portion69 of which has constant communication with the suction port 560., whilethe branch recesses I0 register alternately with the ports 62a of thetable, as shown in Fig. 15. While one branch recess Ill registers withits corresponding port 62a to connect such port and the. associatedconduit BI with the suction port 55a, vent holes 'II in the valveregister with the other port 620. to connect the associated conduit GIwith atmosphere. This provides an alternative valve construction ofsimple design.

From the aboVe description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a method of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its timing, sequence,combination and duration of the manipulative impulses and method oftheir product on without departing from the principle involved orsacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to the manipulativeaction, it s to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific features shown, but that the means and construction hereindisclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting theinvention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any ofits forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. The herein described method of milking a cow, including subjectingthe cow's teats to repetitious cycles of rhythmical fluctuations offiuid pressure, each cycle of which comprises a series of tremulousimpulses of substantially uniform intensity followed by an accentuatedimpulse at the end of each series of substantially uniform impulses.

2. The herein descr bed method of simulating the mouth action of asuckling calf including the step of subjecting the cows teat to a periodof sustained tremulous fluctuation of external fluid pressure andthereafter subjecting the teat to a final squeezing action underincreased external fluid pressure at the completion of such tremulousfluctuation.

3. The here n escribed method of simulating the suckling action of acalf including the step of subjecting-the cow's teat to repetitiouscycles of rhythmical fluctuations of external fluid pressure of likecharacter, but of varyin degree of intensity in predetermined sequence.

4. The herein described method of mechanically simulating the mouthaction of a suckling calf consisting in subjecting the cows teat tosuction influence of periodic duration, intermittently partiallyinterrupting the suction influence to efl'ect a repetitious successionof suction impulses, and accenting at least one impulse of each cyclethereof.

5. The herein described method of mechanically simulating the mouthaction of a suckling calf consisting in subjecting a cows teat toperiodic fluid pressure compressive influence, and intermittentlypartially interrupting the fluid pressure influence to impart to theteat a succession of fluctuation compressive impulses and accentingcertain of the pulsations.

6. The herein described method of mechanically simulating the mouthaction of a suckling calf consisting in subjecting a cows teat toalternate periods of pulsating fluid pressure compression and ofpressure release, and rhythmical- 1y varying the intensity of thecompressive pulsations.

7. The herein described method of mechanically simulating the mouthaction of a sucklin calf consisting in subjecting a cows teat toperiodically continuing fluid pressure compression of fluctuating degreeand thereby afl'ording thereto a pulsating effect through successivesustained periods of influence.

8. The method of and apparatus for milking a cow mechanically as hereindescribed by causing cyclic fluid pressure undulations of lesser andgreater degree upon the cows teat similar in form to the vibrations ofpressure on a cows teat accompanying the suckling action of a calf.

9. The herein described method of milking a cow including subjecting thecows teat to periodically sustained undulating fluid pressure influenceand terminating each period of undulating pressure influence by a finalpressure change of marked degree in excess of the undulating modulationsthereof.

JOHN A. SCI-IMITT. ALBERT SCHELLENBERG.

